Physical education apparatus



July 23, 1940. R. PAUL PHYSICAL EDUCATION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1, 1937 Rene Paul flu/6111501 Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 1, 1937, Serial No. 177,459 In France December 18, 1936 Claims.

There exist physical training apparatus including a system of pedals fitted on a structure analogous to a portion of a bicycle, that is to say including a saddle or other seat for supporting 5 the person making use of the apparatus, and a handle bar. However, these apparatus do not permit horizontal or upward pedalllng, the trunk of the body of such a person-being in a substantially horizontal recumbent position.

In some apparatus, a reciprocating movement of the legs is indeed effected in the recumbent position, but there is nothing effectively to guide this movement so that, from a kinetic and muscular point of view, it may constitute a true pedal- ]5 ling.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus keepingthe trunk of the body in a substantially horizontal recumbent position and permitting a guided pedalling movement of the legs, so that the latter are always between a horizontal position and a position nearly vertical, whereby the point of application of the force exerted by the feet can be at a level higher than that of the head.

According to the present invention, this apparatus includes essentially a support for maintainingthe trunk of the body of the person making use of the apparatus in a substantially horizontal recumbent position, said support being combined with a bicycle wheel and pedal system through a jointed element which permits of inclining it more or less upwardly with reference to the plane of this support, and, eventually, folding it either above or under said support.

According to another feature of the present invention, it is possible, through any suitable means, to adjust the distance of the wheel and pedal system for the support or seat.

A brake of the drum type, or of the friction plate system, or generally of any other suitable type, preferably adjustable, is provided for opposing the desired resistance to the pedalling motion.

The adjustment means with which this apparatus is provided permit of adapting it exactly to the size of the person making use of it, and of modifying at will the average inclination of the legs with respect to that of the body by varying the level of the pedal shaft, so that the point of 5 application of the force exerted by the feet can be located at a level higher than that of the head. Finally, it is possible to fit this apparatus with a device permitting of exercising the arms and the trunk, and in particular of making a movement substantially analogous to that of rowing.

For this purpose traction springs are suitably disposed at the lower part of the apparatus, in combination with handles and foot-rests so as to permit the person using this apparatus of performing these various movements. 5

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, given merely by way of example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus 10 according to the present invention, including only a system of pedals;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of an apparatus further including a device permitting rowing movements.

The seat of the apparatus, visible in perspective 15 view on the drawing, consists of a tube frame a and a fabric b stretched thereon. Of course, this is merely an embodiment and the seat might be wholly rigid or wholly jointed, of metal, wood or the like. Fabric element b might be replaced 20 by a wood plate. The pedal spindle c is carried by a support consisting of a tube (1 the lower portion e of which is T-shaped. The two branches f and a of this portion e are inserted in the ends h and i of frame a, which ends are slotted if necessary. 25 A tightening member or any other equivalent means, permits of fixing tube (1 in the desired position with respect to frame a. When the apparatus is not in service, the pedal system can be folded against the piece of fabric b. 0 r

The adjustment of the distance of pedal system 3 c from the seat is obtained through the use of a tube In telescopically inserted in tube at and fixed in the desired position by means of a tightening member m. 35

The pedal system includes a set of two pedals n with straps o for fixation of the feet, and adjusting means p for a brake which, on the example shown, is supposed to be of the drum and ribbon yp n The tightening device 7', which keeps the pedal system support in the desired position, might be replaced by any movable and adjustable supporting element.

Instead of being a curved tube the apparatus 45 may likewise be of wood, with metal corner pieces or otherwise, the essential joints being realized by means of hinges, for instance.

In another adaptation represented by Fig. 2 the apparatus is further provided with traction 5 springs, handles and foot rests allowing the person using the apparatus to perform in particular a rowing movement by exercising his arms and back in pulling upon the aforesaid springs by means of handles. 55

This apparatus also allows the extension of the arms in'all directions at the same time or in succession.

For this purpose cylindrical springs s are fixed to the cross-piece at the lower part of the frame a and are Joined together so as to form two groups by means of a coupling piecet in each group, a ring or some other suitable arrangement fitted .in front with a loop u to which a traction cable 1) is attached. Moreover a foot rest w, having the required slope is fixed to the tube of the apparatus Ic, by means of a sleeve .1. Its position may be varied at will by fixing it more or less forward on the aforesaid tube according to the length of the legs of the person concerned. This foot rest is fitted with a pulley g on each side, for the purpose of guiding the traction cables 0 each of which has a handle at the end permitting the user to exercise traction upon the springs.

Furthermore the seat occupied by the user may be furnished with a back q joined to the frame a or otherwise and supplied with crosspieces for adjusting the slope.

In a general manner, while I have, in the above description, disclosed what I deem to be practical and efficient embodiments of the present invention, it should be well understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. A physical education apparatus, comprising a cot including a member to support the trunk of a person in a recumbent position, a bracket comprising a single arm mounted on the foot end of said cot for pivotal movement about an axis transverse of the latter and below the horizontal plane of said trunk supporting member, said arm extending in the longitudinal centre plane of said cot and having its free end bent in said plane substantially at right angles, means to fix said swingable bracket in any pivotal position thereof, and means supported on said bracket for exercising the extremities of the person resting on the cot.

2. A physical education apparatus, comprising a cot including front and rear legs and a member to support the trunk of a person in a recumbent position, a 'bracket comprising a single arm mounted on the foot end of said cot for pivotal movement about an axis transverse of the latter and below the horizontal plane of said trunk supporting member, said arm extending in the longitudinal centre plane of said cot and having its free end bent in said plane substantially at right angles, means to fix said swingable bracket in any pivotal position thereof, and means supported on said bracket for exercising the extremities of the person resting on the cot, the legs of said cot being disposed to leave an unobstructed space between them into which said bracket may be swung when the apparatus is not in use.

3. A physical education apparatus, comprising a cot including a tubular frame provided at its foot end with two transversely disposed tubular legs having their open ends projecting towards one another and a member carried by said frame to support the trunk of a person in a recumbent position, a swingable bracket comprising a T- shaped tube of a diameter slightly smaller than that of said tubular legs of the cot, said T-shaped tube having its T-arms inserted into said tubular legs and its stem extending in the longitudinal centre plane of the cot, the free end of said stem being bent in said plane substantially at right angles, means to fix said swingable bracket in any pivotal position thereof, and means mounted on the stem of said T-arm for exercising the extremities of the person resting on the cot.

4. A physical education apparatus, comprising a cot including a member to support the trunk of a person in a recumbent position, a bracket comprising a single arm mounted on the foot end of said cot for pivotal movement about an axis transverse of the latter and below the horizontal plane of said trunk supporting member,

said arm extending in the longitudinal centre plane of said cot and having its free end bent in said plane substantially at right angles, means to fix said swingable bracket in any pivotal position thereof, and a suitably braked rotary pedal system carried on the free end of said bracket to be operated by the person resting on the cot for exercising his legs.

5. A physical education apparatus, comprising a cot including a member to support the trunk of a person in a recumbent position, a bracket including a single arm mounted on the foot end of said cot for pivotal movement about an axis transverse of the latter and below the horizontal plane of said trunk supporting member, said arm extending in the longitudinal centre plane of said cot, means to fix said swingable bracket in any pivotal position thereof, a foot rest carried by said bracket, a pair of movable handles to be operated by the person resting on said cot, means mounted on said bracket to support said handles, and resilient elements having each one end thereof secured to a portion of said cot and the other end connected to one of said handles.

RENE PAUL. 

